Governor Bruce Rauner released $16 million in Agricultural grants Friday.
The grants will fund soil & water districts, county fairs and agriculture societies, and the University of Illinois Extension services.
The Soil and Water Conservation District protects farmland across the state. Each of the 97 districts --14 in the WNIJ listening area -- will receive about $61,000 each to aid farmers and landowners with land care.
Grants also are being issued to county fairs. More than $52,000 will be sent to each of the 92 fairs across the state for rehabilitation and operation costs.
The extension programs will receive $5 million to assist in a variety of their programs including food safety and security, economic development and workplace preparedness. More than 1.5 million people participate in extension activities.
The grants apply to the 2018 fiscal year.